The job market for older people

I imagine that possibly if your self esteem is being held up by achievements at work then ‘stopping’ might feel very unsettling. I think a lot of people throw themselves into work as a way of avoiding other difficult emotions they might be having. Maybe work can be a form of ‘escape’ just like addictions like alcohol or gambling? Actually working in the City literally is gambling in many respects! 

I think it's habit that makes so many people keep working, even when they could retire comfortabley, Maybe they've been on their hamster wheel for so long they don't know how to get off? Maybe they just have a different value system, personally I've never seen the point of being the richest person in the graveyard, but each to thier own.

I can relate to this. I was never an ambitious person career wise, and I’m not overly materialistic. At the same time I do worry a lot about not being to pay bills etc - I like to be able to keep the wolf WELL away from the door! When my children were younger we had so little money and I found it so scary - I darent open the post etc - it made me feel genuinely ill.I have another relative (in her late 50s)who has climbed really high professionally and married someone who started a business and became genuinely rich - and they’ve had to make different kinds of sacrifices in terms of time and not spending time with their children. Having said that they could stop work tomorrow and never worry about money - but they carry on working because they seem to want to. Maybe they like the challenge of it? Like you say - time with your children and grandchildren is so precious - and worth prioritising. 

Hi Roy - thank you for your reply. My cousin doesn’t drive unfortunately. I wonder what the stats are on autism and learning to drive? Neither of my son’s drive btw (they’re both autistic). A lot of our supermarket delivery drivers are older too - I’ve noticed that. I like your window cleaning idea - it’s nice to work outside in the fresh air and be your own boss. Good luck with that if you decide to do it! 

Thank you - this looks like it might be helpful

Than you Iain - that’s really helpful. His job has involved dealing with the public - but at the same time I wouldn’t say he’s ’sociable’! He’s worked for the local council and it’s a good stable job - which is a big thing to give up in my opinion. At the same time I feel that (this is how I am anyway) it’s so easy to always do what’s safe because change can be so scary. I’ve done this in my life - and often thought it was a mistake. But who knows? I don’t want to see him throw something reliable away and end up stressed out and broke. He’s very vulnerable in some ways. 

I've been accused of being stuck in a rut before, when I feel I'm ploughing my own forrough, some people live to work and other work to live. I've always been a work to live person, being less concerned about material rewards and status than getting home and enjoying myself doing things I like, reading, gardening, studying etc. These two ways of being are poles apart and those who live to work get very frustrated with those of us who work to live who in turn get fed up at being hassled to do "more and better". My son and DiL are like this and they've semi split up over it, he can't stand her need to climb the greasy pole of wordly success and she can't understand his disengagement with it, that's not to say he dosen't go for promotions when offered or anything like that, its just not his primary motivation.

If your cousin wants to work a bit so as he can be the best grandad he can be then thats a good thing surely? Small and not so small children need time and love more than piles of xmas presents and trips to disneyland. I think a lot of men feel they missed out on their children being young, having to work all the time etc and want to see the small milestones of a childs life.

Thanks. In many ways he’s very like me in that he wants to be more adventurous in his life but he also struggles with change too (I think he’s undiagnosed autistic to be honest). My eldest went to uni and he and his friends haven’t  found finding a decent job easy either - even with a good degree they’ve found it a challenge - and like you say they haven’t found degree level type jobs. I think it’s hearing of my son’s experience which has made me think it will be difficult for my cousin - especially as his qualifications aren’t great. When I left uni in the 80s it was a lot easier as the cost of living was so much more reasonable and as long as you didn’t buy luxuries you could live very cheaply. Now all the basics seem to cost so much. 

Thanks - I think he might be ok with that. The job he’s in now isn’t very well paid so I don’t think he has particularly high expectations. But I do worry about him if he can’t find anything at all as he also has many autistic traits and isn’t great at coping with stress and worry. At the same time i also think it’s easy to get stuck in a rut and not truly live life if we never change our life situation out of fear - so I can see both sides. 

I guess it depends on what sort of job he wants? If he's happy to work in a supermarket then I think he'd be OK as many supermarkets seem happy to employ older people.

I wouldn't worry .  It's their decision which seems like they've made in their minds, and for them to do the math and risks on. 

They are near retirement and they see the benefits beyond just maintaining a job which they've have for 30 years, so moving to a new phase of life, which many do at that age of life.

I think the job market is tough for all ages - my daughters friends who graduated last year haven't exactly been inundated with job offers, and if they are in work, not sure they are jobs that require a degree either.  If I do go into the office (now I'm in my 50s) I do feel much older than those I generally see, but if I think back to when I was in my 20s and 30s, I suspect colleague of my age now, probably thought the same back then too. So are things different ? I suspect not, but you'd have to look at employment data and I'm sure your cousin isn't expecting you to do this analysis

So when they ask "what do you think?" just say I can see why you're moving and wish you well, you may ask what would they plan doing for work, and just hear what they say

Thanks for the links  Chloe Mod .  Had a quick look and will have a proper read through, as they look very helpful

I believe there used to be some employers who took on older people. I think B&Q used to be one of those.

Hello Kate Kestrel  ,

Thank you for sharing this with the Community, You cousin may like to have a look at our employment pages, which include information and advice on looking for an applying for a job. We also have a webpage offering information and support on in your rights at work, dealing with bullying and interacting and coping at work.  

They can also find a free online ‘Finding Employment’ module on our website. This module is designed to help autistic job seekers entering the job market in understanding their strengths and what next steps they could take towards gaining meaningful employment or work. 

Our Spectrum Live online series also features an episode discussing employment, this can be found here. 

Evenbreak matches disabled job seekers with employers to build a diverse workforce. You can visit the Evenbreak website for listed job vacancies. 
 

The British Association of Supported Employment (BASE), have a database of supported employment agencies, so you can search for one in your local area. 

Maximus offer a range of employability programmes throughout the UK, Including, programmes for disabled people who are struggling to fine work. 

Our current employment and volunteering opportunities with The National Autistic Society are listed on our vacancies page.  We particularly welcome applications from autistic people. 

I hope they find what they're looking for!

ChloeMod

Hi Kate, 

This is something I’m thinking about at the moment as I am in a similar  situation. I hope to have two holiday lets to help with income but in reality these are most probably going to take about two years to convert. I’ve noticed the local supermarkets have large fleets of delivery vans and seem to employ the more mature person! I was thinking of doing this as it’s flexible hours and the pay isn’t bad. The only thing bothering me is if I can meet strangers when delivering.

I’ve also considered gardening as I can then work alone. An option I really favour is window cleaning, I’ve noticed there seems to be a gap in the market locally. I don’t like heights so thought of buying a used van and fitting a water tank and purifying unit, The house windows are then cleaned with a long pole so no ladder needed. I have a customer who does this at the moment and makes very good money, the hours are also flexible.  What field of work is your cousin in? There maybe a company who are looking for someone already skilled in his field. 

I would agree with Iain’s assessment below. If your cousin had specific skills that are in shortage I think he would be ok in finding something. Changing employers can be a huge deal though, not sure how long he has worked at the same place? Starting somewhere new can be very challenging and difficult to ask for any accommodations unless the employer is very forward thinking 

Kate Kestrel said:

I’ve always thought that employers don’t like to employ older people - but maybe I’m wrong?

My experience of the job market as someone aged 50 and over was that there is a lot of ageism present. As you get older it gets worse (Im 58 now) so unless you have a specialism that is in short supply or are in a more senior management role then it is much harder than it should be.

For lower skilled jobs then the lower levels of stamina and willingness to be messed about are often factors employers will consider so you are likely to need to have an engaging personality to overcome this.

Being sociable and meeting people is a good way to find out about opportunities but if the person is autistic then this can often be something we find really hard.

They could consider early retirement if they have built up enough pension contributions to do so or could look for roles in their area of special interests.

Are they physically fit enough to be, say a gardner? This can be a good role for autists as there is low people contact typically and the work is fairly seasonal so you get time in the winter to recharge.

Knowing what the person has done in the past for work and their interests plus triggers will be the key things to help us offer more targetted suggestions.